Biglaw

Biglaw Associate Sues Airbnb, Victoria's Secret Model

Everyone's heard an AirBnB horror story...

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Lyndsey Scott (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Lyndsey Scott (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Piss off a lawyer and you’re going to get a lawsuit. Maybe it is a little trite, but it is also a reality for an actress/model/programmer and Airbnb.

Christian Pugaczewski, an associate in the Derivatives & Structured Products Group at Shearman and Sterling, wanted to rent an apartment for a few months this summer, and like so many in 2016 he turned to sharing economy leader Airbnb. He found an apartment on Roosevelt Island (mistake number 1), and based on the description, he assumed it was in one of the luxury buildings on the island. But, no, it wasn’t:

“I stayed there one night and left immediately,” Pugaczewski said. “There was paint peeling, there was grime and dirt on the window sill and on the air conditioner, a hole in the floor was covered up by strategically-placed bar stools,” he said.

Christian Pugaczewski

Christian Pugaczewski

Pugaczewski is suing the lease holder, Lyndsey Scott and Airbnb, for tricking him into renting “a property materially different from the property portrayed.”

Oh, dear.

Scott is the actress, model, and programmer — what a combination — and neither she nor Airbnb have commented, but it will be an interesting case to follow. I mean everyone — on both sides of an Airbnb relationship — that uses the service regularly has horror stories to tell. It’s just that this Biglaw associate has taken it to court.

UPDATE 9/7/16: We’ve received the below update from Lyndsey Scoot about the lawsuit:

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I acknowledge Mr. Pugaczewski’s complaints and am working closely with Airbnb to ensure this is settled in a fair and just manner. I wholeheartedly respect Airbnb’s standards and have worked tirelessly to ensure renters have had an above average experience, as evidenced in my 5 star rating on Airbnb.com. Roosevelt Island is a beautiful neighborhood in New York City, known for its sense of community, family environment and diversity – all traits I wholeheartedly embrace. I have always felt safe in my apartment and proud to call Roosevelt Island my home. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused Mr. Pugaczewski. The photos, description and reviews included in the listing are verifiable and accurate: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/923708

AirBnb renter duped into paying $9K for dingy apartment: suit [New York Post]

Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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